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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolf Board Minutes - April 08, 2025 1 (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Golf Board Minutes – April 08, 2025 Council Members: Karl Boehm Paul Sorensen Brian Parkinson Eva Wright Non-Voting Members: Board Chairman Johnson Matt Nielson – City Finance Officer Colin Erickson – City Council Member Brent Mendenhall – County Commissioner Spencer Rammell – Attorney Cameron Garn – Golf Pro Seth McFarland – Golf Ground Greg McInnes – City Parks Manager Justin Beard – City Engineer 4:30 P.M. Golf Board Meeting Roll Call of Board Members: Attending: Brian Parkinson, Paul Sorensen, Eva Wright and Chairman Jon Johnson. Absent: Karl Boehm 1. Review Prior Meeting Minutes and approval (Action Item): a. March 11, 2025 Board Member Wright moved to approve the Golf Board Meeting Minutes for March 11, 2025; Board Member Parkinson seconded the motion; Board Chairman Johnson asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Board Member Parkinson Board Member Sorensen Board Member Wright Board Chairman Johnson The motion carried. 2. Board Business/issues/problems/events a. Review rail cabling bid and make recommendations Golf Board Member Johnson said he went over to Teton Lakes to look at the new rail cabling. Finance Officer Nielson said city Building Official Brett Stoddard worked with Leo from Premier Power Coding to rebuild the rail that was damaged by the vehicle accident. He asked Leo for a quote to replace the section of rail that was not damaged, and the quote was for $25,000. County Commissioner Mendenhall asked if the rail section that was not repaired meets building standards. City Attorney Rammell explained that the rail wire does not change fundamentally, if a child were to fit through the wire gaps it would be a tight fit. He asked Golf Pro Garn and staff to make sure that no one person is left unattended or allowing anyone to hang from the railing. Discussion about adding a sign on the deck instructing patrons to stay off the rail cables. Finance Officer Nielson mentioned some of the ball joints broke off the rail section with the longer cable runs and caused that section of cable to drop. He said city Maintenance Employee Max Egbert called the contractor to come fix a few of the runs; 2 however, there is a special tool that is used to tighten the cable runs. Board Member Sorensen said he will take the responsibility of figuring out how or where he can get the tool and learn how to tighten the cable runs. i. See bid (action item) ii. Would be good for Board Members to go see the old cables vs. new ones by handicapped ramp b. Other Items as brought forward by Board Members Board Chairman Johnson asked if the Blister’s sign could be removed. Golf Pro Garn suggested putting up a sign with Cam’s Pro Shop on it. Golf Pro Garn said he is in favor of putting up a sign that says Cam’s Pro Shop if the sign doesn’t cost extra money. Discussion regarding using the Blister’s sign and adding new vinyl with Cam’s Pro Shop. 3. City or County Input/Issues a. Discuss Updates on Clubhouse Remodel (Action Item) i. Update on Project Completion Date Finance Officer Nielson asked the Golf Board Members to walk through the club house to look at the remodel work and if they see anything they want to change to inform him so he can let the contractor know before they close out the project. Discussion regarding the work still needing to be completed such as some of the handrails and the downstairs bathrooms. County Commissioner Mendenhall asked for an update on the plan for the traffic flow and use of the downstairs. Golf Pro Garn explained, the locker room is for club storage and not a clothing changing area. The women’s restrooms are now three family bathrooms. The downstairs is now lit well. There is a hallway that leads to the upstairs main level or to another exit towards the lodging room. The carpet color and everything else is turning out well. b. Update on storm drain project in parking lot c. Other Items as brought forward Staff or Elected Officials 4. Financial Report a. Review/Discuss the Capital Improvement Plan, including Fiscal Year 2026 Budget request (Action Item) b. Review Request for New Personnel (Action Item) Finance Officer Nielson said he reviewed the capital improvement plan today and the next finance meeting will be the annual budget meeting. The Capital Improvement plan was sent out to the county representatives too. He has listed the capital needs for the next five years from 2026 to 2030. This year they are purchasing a rough mower and next year $90,000 was put in savings for a fairway mower. There is about $40,000 for a Cushman slash gator this year and $70,000 for next year to purchase a sprayer. Finance Officer Nielson continued to review the capital improvement plan. There is $5,000 in landscape material for the shop area. Grounds Manager McFarland said he will not use the $5,000 for landscape material, he will use some of the funds from the $20,000 amount for paving, gravel and preparation work of the ground around the shop. The $28,000 will be used for actual asphalt. The range/cart picker will be purchased next year. Golf Pro Garn said the purchase of the range/cart picker could be pushed out further. Finance Officer Nielson said there is $30,000 for a real sharpener, which is a piece of equipment. At the Legacy they have two large years and then they should be done. 3 Finance Officer Nielson said on the building side of the golf course capital improvement plan at the bottom of the report. They keep sliding the septic because it keeps working so he put it back to 2027. The large project this year was the Teton Lake Club House remodel, the costs will be under $160,000 budgeted. They received a $30,000 check from the insurance company due to a water pipe brake in one of the restrooms. Discussion regarding the carpet included in the Teton Lakes Club house remodel. Finance Officer Nielson mentioned the golf simulator, the options range from $8,000 up to $40,000. Golf Pro Garn explained the basic simulator woud be used for club fitting instruction and other basic items; however, moving up into those next simulator ranges, they can bring in more income with adding it to the bundle pass. They could have a league or an online tournament. A larger simulator is going to be more capable of handling some of those features. Discussion regarding the use of the simulator for the offseason. Board Member Sorensen expressed his concerns with Teton Lakes competing with the private sector. There are about three business es in town operating a golf course simulator. He wondered what the fee would be to use the simulator to try and rec uperate the cost of the simulator. Golf Pro Garn explained opening a golf shop at Teton Lakes would help eliminate some of the competition. 4 Finance Officer Nielson said Costco has a deal on the GC quad for $17,000 so the budget would need to be moved to $20,000. There are some golf simulators with a three year subscription and then a yearly fee; however, the one from Costco is a premium 30 course package with a lifetime license. Discussion regarding the fee other golf courses charge to use the golf simulator. Golf Pro Garn said the country club charges $20 a session and other locations charge $40 to $50 an hour. He asked if they could add the fee to the bundle pass or charge $150 for an hour a week. Board Member Parkinson asked if having the golf simulator open during the winter will cause additional costs in overhead. Golf Pro Garn said he will be the one to operate the golf simulator during the winter months. He would prefer to have a full time assistant. The assistant could stay busy during the winter by renting out the cross country skis and overseeing the golf simulator patron schedule. Discussion regarding which golf simulator to purchase, there is a Trackman simulator package. The Board Members agreed to budget $30,000 for the golf simulator. Finance Officer Nielson said Golf Pro Garn and Grounds Manager McFarland have asked if they can add another full-time employee. The cost estimate for those positions and instead of starting in October, he indicated they would start about halfway through the fiscal year or at the beginning of the golf season. He said he was surprised when he looked at how much an assistant golf pro’s salary is. Board Member Parkinson asked for clarification regarding the cost of each position. Finance Officer Nielson clarified the estimated $112,000 is the cost of each position because it includes benefits, wage and operational expense. Discussion regarding the estimated expenses for the two full-time positions for the golf course. Finance Officer Nielson explained they have made significant strides at the golf courses to be able to decrease the subsidy from the general fund of the city/county. These two positions would put the sudsidy back to what it was in the past which is hard to swollow. Board Member Wright asked about the subsidy amount from the city/county for the golf course. Finance Officer Nielson explained currently the city/county are splitting about $170,000 so $85,000 a year. They are also trying to build Operation Fund 50 to the Capital Reserve Fund in 2025 they set that at $50,000 with the hope to increase it by about $5,000 per year. Discussion regarding the costs for full-time verses part-time employee costs and PERSI rule for part- time positions. Finance Officer Nielson said the new positions would be presented at the budget 5 meeting next month and then the Golf Board would make a recommendation to the City Council regarding the new positions. Board Member Wright asked by hiring a full-time position how many part-time positions would be eliminated. Golf Pro Garn replied, the hiring of one full-time position would eliminate one part-time position; however, the full-time employee would be able to work 40 hours a week instead of the 30 hours per week a part-time employee is able to work. One of the problems with having a part-time Golf Pro assistant is that once they are trained, they go elsewhere where a full-time position is available. The two assistants at Teton Lakes are spending money to go to PGA school and are looking for work stability. Board Member Parkinson asked if the city Recreation Fund could pay some of the costs of the new positions because of the winter park. Finance Officer Nielson explained that the part time labor to run the winter sports part is not significant. Ground Manager McFarland said as far as the ground position goes it isn’t an issue of there is no work to be done. They have seven months; however, past that date they can no longer work because of the weather. 5. Golf Pro’s update of issues/concerns/problems/projects a. Update on Trailer and table and chairs i. Review sign for trailer (Action Item) b. Review Private Lesson Waiver for Asst Golf Pro/Private Lessons-Drafted by Attorney (Action Item) c. All Other Items as brought forward by Golf Pro Golf Pro Garn reported the golf course is up and running well. He said he monitored the outside county play, and he thinks next year they can add the additional fee for non-county residents. He noticed a huge influx of people buying golf passes from Rigby. Golf Pro Garn said all the tables and chairs are being delivered. He spoke with James about making the trailer modifications needed to store the tables and chairs. Golf Pro Garn mentioned the waiver for the golf instructors before all the instructors would stay on the clock to teach their lesson; however, it is a lot harder on the labor costs especially when the instructor is needed in the shop. He reviewed the Golf Professional Onside Teaching Policy. 6 City Attorney Rammell clarified the policy creates a separation between the golf course and instructor. This policy would cover anyone who desires to teach golf lessons; however, there are requirements that must be run through the Golf Pro. Golf Pro Garn said his two assistants will be doing club fittings for him which will bring revenue back into the golf course. 7 Golf Pro Garn asked the Golf Board Members how aggressive they wanted him to be regarding the golf tournament schedule because there was a company that contacted him requesting a Saturday and were willing to pay the green fees for 175 players 18 holes. He understands there is a line between the season pass holder and revenue. He asked for input from the Golf Board regarding scheduling tournaments on Saturday. Discussion regarding the schedule for the other tournaments throughout the year. County Commissioner Mendenhall said the course is a community golf course and should be kept that way as much as possible. If the Golf Board decides to allow golf tournaments on Saturday, the number could be limited. Board Member Sorensen said he is in favor of allowing a few golf tournaments on a Saturday. If patrons start to complain about the Saturday tournaments, they can readdress any issues that may arise. 6. Golf Grounds Manager update of issues/concerns/problems/projects a. Tee Box, netting, and Range Lights at Tee Box (Seth and Cam to come back with design proposal) b. Update on mapping with GIS and our City Works Coordinator mark the location of all irrigation lines and equipment on a map with coordinates. i. More work to be done here, marking sprinkler heads and noting pipe size. c. Other items as brought forward by Golf Grounds Manager Grounds Manager McFarland reported the irrigation was installed, they are waiting for the water so they can test it and complete the final setting of the trenches. The number one middle fork bridge is complete. They are going to start the work on the 4th wall project. Discussion regarding the height of the 4th wall. Grounds Manager McFarland said it is going to be about 3 to 4 feet at the bottom and not go much higher because they must go back 6 feet. Discussion regarding how bad the mosquitoes were last year. Board Chairman said the mosquitoes were not bad last year. They also discussed the Fourth of July firework show at Teton Lakes. Board Chairman Johnson asked about the new bridges across the canal. He wondered if they had installed the bridge on the east side of nine between nine and 1. Ground Manager McFarland said he would have preferred the bridge to have been installed on the north side of that canal so that the bridge could be shared. Discussion regarding the cost of a new bridge or a walking bridge. 7. Determine Next Board Meeting Date/Time a. 5/13/25 at 4:30 pm 8. Tabled Agenda Items to Consider: a. Consider landscaped items at the service shop area after completing main parking lot/clubhouse improvements. 9. Executive Session (Statute 74-206)-Only held if necessary, and subsection authorizing the executive session must be stated-Generally held after regular meeting to discuss labor contract matters. (If necessary) (j) To consider labor contract matters authorized under section 67-2345A (74-206A) (1) (a) and (b), Idaho Code. Adjournment 05:52 P.M.